New Spring Village Bridge 40% complete

According to the latest update from the National Works Agency (NWA), work is currently focused within the river bed of the Coburn Gully, where reinforced concrete abutments are being constructed and are slated for completion soon.

The original bridge, which was over a century old, was ordered closed in September 2022 after NWA engineers assessed it as severely compromised and a danger to public safety. Its closure severed a major connector for communities and businesses, forcing commuters onto a longer and more expensive alternative route through Nightingale Grove Farms, locally known as Five Acres.

Stephen Shaw, Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, outlined the scope of the project. “As part of the project the old structure will be removed to facilitate the construction of a pre-stressed girder concrete bridge,” Shaw stated. He detailed that the works include site clearance, the driving of piles to support the bridge frame, river training and protective works, and the construction of approaches complete with road signs and markings.

The new structure, valued at approximately $250 million, is designed to be a durable modern solution. It will feature sidewalks for pedestrians, concrete wing walls, and parapet walls.

The bridge is a critical artery for residents traveling from Gutters to the community of Spring Village, home to the Best Dressed Chicken factory, and other northern areas such as Dover and Point Hill. Recognizing its importance, the Jamaica Broilers Group, parent company of Best Dressed Chicken, has committed $50 million towards the project.

The project’s journey to construction began with its listing in the national fiscal budget in March 2023. After Cabinet approval for a contract was targeted for June 2024, plans were finalized in February 2025, with physical work commencing thereafter.

Residents and business operators now await the project's completion, which will end years of inconvenience and restore efficient travel to the region. The NWA continues to oversee the works, with the new bridge representing a significant infrastructure investment in the parish.